GRANVILLE -- The Heidelberg University women's basketball team kicked off the 2022-23 season with a 65-55 loss at Denison University on Tuesday.  Heidelberg trailed by as many as 18 in the first half, but remained determined throughout the contest.  

A true team effort, 10 players scored for Heidelberg.  Marissa Thomas led the way with 11.  

A rough start offensively led to a 22-7 deficit for the Student Princes after the first quarter.  

In the second quarter, Heidelberg shot 33.3% from the floor and outscored the Big Red 15-12.  The Student Princes used a 6-0 run to keep the contest close at halftime.  

During the second half, the 'Berg's offense in and around the paint flourished.  The Student Princes, however, were unable to string together enough stops on the defensive end in the third quarter and trailed by 15.  

Heidelberg did whittle the Big Red lead down to seven with 2:20 left in the fourth thanks to an 11-4 run which included a nifty put-back by Alyssa Martin.  

The Big Red, cold for much of the fourth quarter, used a baseline jumper from Mikaila Carpenter with 58.4 left to calm the nerves of the Denison faithful. Carpenter finished with a game-high 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Denison held a 45-34 edge on the glass.  

The game marked the collegiate debuts of Cheyanne Bean, Sequoia Bradley, Maciaha Irving and Navia Smith.  

Heidelberg will look to find their first win at this weekend's Lauren Hill Tip-Off Classic.  The Student Princes face Westminster (Mo.) and Mount St. Joseph on Friday and Saturday in Cincinnati.